MIDWEEK racing returns to Caymanas Park today for the first time for the new season, and with no trophy races on the nine-race card, the $715,000 Overnight Allowance race over the 1,000-metre course is the designated showpiece call. First post is 1:25 pm.

A maiden special weight contest for native-bred three-year-olds over 1,600 metres will also add to the highlight as it will provide trainers the opportunity to continue to process their native-bred juveniles heading into the Classic races in April.

In the Overnight Allowance contest where seven will run, talented local sprinter Commander Zero makes his first appearance for the season.

The five-year-old grey gelding son of He’stherealthing out of Arantza, has not raced for five months and judging from the opposition, at 53.0kg he looks hard to beat.

Prepared by champion and leading trainer Wayne DaCosta, Commander Zero last raced in the grade in August of last year where he was beaten into fifth place by Working Image over 1,200 metres. Commander Zero led at a merry clip posting fractions of 23.0 and 46.2 for the first 800 metres. However after looking the probable winner in the home run, the Classic-placed gelding stopped as if being struck by lightning at the final 200 metre pole, and from there faded into fifth 3 1/2 lengths adrift in a field of 15.

Returning from a five-month respite he will turn up a different proposition for his rivals. Two races before his indifferent running Commander Zero made a smashing debut in the class when beating rivals by all of seven lengths. For his debut five-year-old season, the Von G White-owned grey gelding will do so well trained and though attempting the distance for the very first time has done enough in his preparations (galloped 800 metres in 46.3 by 59.3 for 1,000 metres straight on Wednesday, January 13) to come away an easy winner even among a group of capable specialists over the straight course. Champion jockey Omar Walker, fifth on the championship standings with four wins after three days in the saddle, and, who was aboard the gelding in his last four races with two wins among them, will again ride.

The Raymond Townsend-owned and trained ultra- consistent imported eight-year-old gelding Triple Account and First Time Lucky owned by Hopeton Dreckette and part- owned and trained by Dalton Lawrence who are specialists over the course, have worked well for the sprint duel but are expected to follow Commander Zero back to the line.

Former champion sprinter and former course record- holder for the distance, Musical Maestro will be facing the starter for the first time since November 2008 and although representing the class horse among the runners is not expected to raise a serious gallop to interfere with the outcome. Leading rider Shane Ellis gets the call from trainer Dwight Chen.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 The Best Man (Richard Mairs)

Race 2 Grandi Elani (Omar Walker)

Race 3 Trial Lawyer (Omar Walker)

Race 4 Sergeant Stonehan

(Omar Walker)

Race 5 It Is Written (Omar Walker)

Race 6 Classical Bullet (Aaron Chatrie)

Race 7 Mr Big Shot (Andre Martin)

Race 8 Commander Zero (Omar Walker)

Race 9 Lux (Shane Ellis)